This hands-on 3rd grade matter unit supports 3.P.2 of the NC Essential Standards, but it is a well-rounded, fun and engaging, science unit on matter for any middle to upper elementary student! This matter science unit includes a virtual option. Please look at the preview to see EVERYTHING this matter unit includes.

I'm in charge of teaching my team's math and science and math comes first, so I need my science to be informative, fun, and not take too long on writing the information down. I love all of the foldable stuff, but it takes too long for my students. I would rather them be spending that time on a neat science activity than folding, cutting, coloring, and gluing. I found a way for the students to still be accountable, but not take much time to get the learned information down. Plus, my students' notebooks still look awesome at the end of the year!

This matter science unit includes a lot of opportunities for fun, hands-on activities! There is an activity on finding the volume of your hand, seeing how molecules are affected by temperature, 3 density experiments, and a STEM challenge! Check out the preview to see more in detail.

The matter unit test comes in a paper and a Google Forms version for automatic grading!

I also included a fun, semi-interactive (not SmartBoard but student interactive) PowerPoint for students to participate in at the end of the unit. It is somewhat of a vocab review game, but really it is just a fun way to wrap up the unit that the kids love!! Check out the preview to see more in detail.

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In this matter unit, students will:

•Find the volume of their hand

•Sort different pictures into their state of matter: solid, liquid, gas

•Draw or write examples for the states of matter changing

•Observe the molecules in cold water vs warm water

•Differentiate between mixtures and solids

•Differentiate between physical and chemical changes

•Test different objects to see if solids have different densities

•Layer different liquids to see if liquids have different densities

•Make and capture carbon dioxide (mix baking soda and vinegar) in a balloon to see if different gases have different densities

•Complete a Stem Challenge and see if they can get a piece of clay to float *Also modify the clay to hold as much weight as possible

•Watch Videos

•Learn and Have Fun!

In this unit, students will learn:

•What matter is

•All matter has mass and volume that does not change

•The particles in matter – atoms and molecules

•3 states of matter and their properties

•Different types of physical changes

•Molecules move faster in warm water than cold water (faster moving molecules make molecules move further apart, helping change state).

•Chemical changes

•Densities for solids, liquids, and gases

•How density and buoyancy work together to help objects more dense than water float

This unit includes:

•Detailed Lesson Plans - 9 lessons; 10 to 12 sessions

•All Student Sheets (PDF, editable, and Google Slides)

•2 Vocab Quizzes (PDF, editable, Google Slides)

•2 Study Guides for the Unit Test (Easier and harder version - PDF, editable)

•Unit Test (PDF, editable, Google Form)

•Word Wall Cards for the Vocabulary (in a separate file)

•Fun PowerPoint/ Google Slides with Student Sheet

•Answer Keys for anything that warrants it

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If you only need a specific component of this unit, find the appropriate link below:

Matter Word Wall

Semi-Interactive Matter PowerPoint

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I have created a bundle of all of my science units! You can find it along with each of the other individual units below:

Science for the Year

Seeds and Plants Unit

Soil Unit

Landforms and Bodies of Water Unit

Thermal Energy Unit

Force and Motion Unit

Earth and Space Unit

Human Body Unit